“The entire council budget is $41 million. The mayor appropriated over $90 million just for his corporation counsel,” said Berman. “For him to object to a handful of dollars we need is just nonsensical. We’re talking about whittling on the edges of nothing.”

Council officials defended their 18.6 percent proposed budget hike, pointing to higher bills for office space and for outside lawyers battling the administration in eight lawsuits.